NOTE: ATTENTION DRIVERS... Due to race track being located next to the Kankakee County Airport, FCC regulations prohibit us from using the default channel on the RaceCeiver. We have our own dedicated channel (Ch. 110, 451.3625) for racing which does not interfere with their flight communications. I hope this answers most of your questions as to why we don't use the default channel like so many other tracks. The same reason is true why we can not do radio simulcast of the races, though I wish it were possible. We are however exploring other options such as a LIVE internet broadcast of the races.

Kankakee County Speedway News & Notes

May 18th, Sunoco ALMS "Land of Lincoln 40" - Armed Forces Night.

Spectators can use their ticket stubs or pit wristbands to head over to Lincoln Speedway at the Logan County Fairgrounds and save $5 on admission for their Sunoco ALMS event May 20th courtesy of Promoters Tom Smith and Norm Horn.

Friday May 18th
Order of Events
1st--I-MODS
2nd--UMP / ALMS LATE MODELS
3rd--UMP MODIFIEDS
4th--UMP STOCK CARS
5th--UMP SPORT COMPACTS

Hot Laps 6:00 PM
1st--I-MODS
2nd--UMP / ALMS LATE MODELS
3rd--UMP MODIFIEDS
4th--UMP STOCK CARS
5th--UMP SPORT COMPACTS

Qualifying 6:30
UMP / ALMS LATE MODELS 1 LAP

Heat races 7:30
1st--I-MODS 8 laps
2nd--UMP / ALMS LATE MODELS 10 laps
3rd--UMP MODIFIEDS 8 laps
4th--UMP STOCK CARS 8 laps
5th--UMP SPORT COMPACTS 6 laps

Semis
1st--I-MODS
2nd--UMP / ALMS LATE MODELS
3rd--UMP MODIFIEDS
4th--UMP STOCK CARS if needed
5th--UMP SPORT COMPACTS if needed

Features
1st--I-MODS 15 laps or 20 min.
2nd--UMP / ALMS LATE MODELS 40 laps or 45 min.
3rd--UMP MODIFIEDS 20 laps or 25 min.
4th--UMP STOCK CARS 15 laps or 20 min.
5th--UMP SPORT COMPACTS 15 laps or 20 min.

NEW in 2012!!! Track Qualifying Points

New this season will be the addition of track qualifying points to the top six qualifiers in whatever class is qualifying on a regular night. Excluded from this will be specials or any other time there is "Group Qualifying" or less than 14 cars in that class. Points will be awarded 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, to the night's top six qualifiers. The fastest eight qualifiers will still be inverted in what has become the "Invert 8" heat race, often times the most exciting race of the entire night.

This new points structure may be just what a fast car needs to vault themselves possibly into a track title. At the same time, it should stamp out any attempt at sandbagging in an effort to try to be the eighth fastest qualifier. A sponsor is being sought to award the fastest qualifer some form of prize or cash award.

The Crosstown Cup Kicks Off Saturday at LaSalle

This Saturday, May 5th, kicks off the first of nine scheduled battles between drivers from both the Kankakee County Speedway(5) and LaSalle Speedway (4) as the Crosstown Cup kicks off at LaSalle Speedway.

Promoters Tony Izzo Jr. and Tom Smith have strategically put together a friendly rivalry series with drivers of the UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds and UMP Sport Compacts going head to head in a season long battle of bragging rights. The top five in each division will be rewarded at the Kankakee County Speedway's banquet in January. In order to be eligible for for points fund money drivers must compete in all nine events, thus putting the focus squarely on the shoulders of our local racers.

Saturday's event at LaSalle is also the first of their Fan Appreciation Nights, with general admission only $5. This would be a good chance to get out and cheer on your favorite drivers as the two tracks go head-to-head in a season long battle for supremacy. The first of five scheduled duels at Kankakee County Speedway is slated for next Friday night, May 11th.

Roadside Signage

To anyone who has a roadside sign, now is the time to dust them off and get them out by the roads, or in front of your homes or businesses. If you would like to reserve a sign, please contact Rick Steinke at 815-953-6569. Signs can be picked up at the fairgrounds or delivered to your address by appointment.

The list of 2012 UMP Pro Late Model drivers continues to grow

UMP Pro Late Model Roster
#1 Dave Ferrell - #3 Jim Barkus - #7 Jimmy Walker
#7 Jeremy McLaughlin - #9 Josh Cooley - #10 Travis Cooley
#12 Bill Stevenson - #14 Victor Benedetto - #17 Tim Provenzano
#33 Andrew Gendusa - #41 Jacob Kent - #83 Brandon Williams
#87 Scott DuVall - #95 Dave Polak Jr. - #97 Mike Marden
#222 Anthony Hansford - #812 Dennis Polak

KCS ANNOUNCES OHIO TECH SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Kankakee County Speedway, in association with the Ohio Technical College of Cleveland, OH, is excited to announce a joint partnership to provide deserving high school students (Juniors or Seniors) an opportunity to earn up to a $10,000 college scholarship to study Automotive Technology, High Performance Racing in college. These pre-selected candidates will be assigned to a local driver to learn and assist, and essentially become and unpaid crew member for the entire season here at Kankakee. Each student will receive a FREE pit pass for the entire race season, or until the program concludes. For more info, click here..."Ohio Technical College Scholarship Program"

SMITH SCORES TWO NEW CONTINGENCY SPONSORS

Tom Smith has been hard at it this week securing new sponsors for the upcoming 2012 racing season. On Wednesday, Feb. 1st, Smith came to terms with both Falcon Transmissions and Winters Performance Products, who specialize in quick change rear-ends. Every driver who finishes in the Top 12 in points in Super Late Models, Pro Late Models, Modifieds, and Stock Cars will receive a $100 product certificate towards the purchase of new equipment or replacement parts.

This brings the total of new contingency sponsors to ten along with KRC Power, K&B Carbs, Appleton Rack & Pinion, Butlerbuilt Professional Seat Systems, Schoenfeld Headers, Great Lakes Lifting Solutions, Country Chevrolet of Herscher, and Gandrud Chevorlet of Green Bay, WI.

K&B CARBS TO SUPPORT PRO LATE MODELS

Promoter Tom Smith announced today that K&B Carbs out of Maumee, OH has agreed to come onboard to sponsor the new Pro Late Model division at Kankakee County Speedway, which is already approaching double digits as far as car count. We are thrilled to have K&B Carbs as a contingency sponsor for the 2012 campaign. K&B Carbs will present a $50 product certificate each week to one deserving driver.

PRO LATE MODEL BUZZ IS TALK OF THE TOWN

With the recently completed Custom Rides Car Show and the Simply Suspension Open House, the pre-season talk has focused primarily on the addition of the Pro Late Model class at Kankakee County Speedway. Not only does it offer drivers an option to stepping up in the Late Model ranks, but also will make Super Late Model drivers' used equipment more valuable in the near future. All while keeping racing affordable for those who don't have the deep pockets. As many as nine drivers have already commited to the class for 2012. A list of those names will be comprised soon. If you are a driver and are not listed, please email Paul Bayne to get your name added to the Pro Late Model roster. Drivers will compete for UMP points throughout the year at KCS and have a choice of using either the 602 CT350 or 604 CT400 crate motors available at either Country Chevrolet in Herscher or Gandrud Chevrolet out of Green Bay, WI.

KCS SET FOR SMORGASBOARD OF RACING IN 2012

The schedule is now out and upon closer examination, one would agree, that's a whole lot of racing planned for 2012. Of course, like most tracks believe it or not, we may be at the mercy of Mother Nature, but nonetheless here's how the 2012 campaign shakes out.

Let's start off by saying that the UMP Modifieds and Stock Cars will compete in all 25 nights of racing in 2012. Both classes are the heart and soul of Kankakee, and have been for several years. No where in the state, will you find a more competitve field of feature cars than in these two divisions on any given Friday night.

The UMP Super Late Models will compete in 23 nights of action with the only nights off being June 25th when the Winged Sprints come to town, and also during the Kankakee County Fair. The newly added UMP Pro Late Models will join the Super Late Models on all but four nights (21) of action, including the final nine weeks of the season. When competing with the Supers, the Pro Lates will be scored separately from the Supers in both track and UMP points. When we have 11 or more Pro Lates, they will run a stand alone program with heats and a feature.

In a bit of a surprise, the UMP Sport Compacts will be competing every night (25) of the season except for when the Illinois Vintage Racing Series joins us on July 13th. This includes being added to the Kankakee County Fair races. Furthermore, the I-Mods will run all but three nights (23) this coming season including the final 10 weeks of the season. Both groups had eight OFF nights last year, so this will give these competitors more opportunities to showcase their talents.

05/04 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
05/11 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
05/18 SLM ----- MOD SS IM SC
05/25 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC

06/01 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC MG
06/08 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
06/14 SLM ----- MOD SS --- SC
06/15 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
06/22 ----- PLM MOD SS IM SC SP
06/29 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC

07/06 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
07/13 SLM PLM MOD SS IM --- VC
07/20 SLM PLM MOD SS --- SC
07/27 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC

08/01 ----- ----- MOD SS --- SC
08/10 SLM ----- MOD SS IM SC
08/17 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
08/24 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
08/31 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC

09/07 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC MG
09/14 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
09/21 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
09/28 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC
09/29 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC

10/21 SLM PLM MOD SS IM SC

A RECAP OF IMIS... AS KCS SEES IT

With the 2011 IMIS show now in the books as being the biggest and best yet, Kankakee County Speedway promoter made his way around the Indiana Convention Center meeting with dozens of series officials, track promoters, drivers, industry leaders, and a childhood idol who has agreed to come out to have a little fun with us next summer.

As we arrived inside the amazing complex that is now home to the International Motorsports Industry Show, the first person we dealt with Lucas Oil Series Race Director Ritchie Lewis. Lewis and track promoter Tom Smith seemingly share the same philosophy when it comes to producing a quality show when it comes to out of pocket expenses for the promoter. The duo agreed to continue talks towards a future date, which will no doubt be a tremendous shot in the arm for racing in Illinois.

Smith also talked extensively with Bill Long of the Michigan Dirt Cup series in hopes that an effort will be made to bring the best drivers from the State of Michigan here to Kankakee on an invitation only basis. The same sort arrangement would then travel to Michigan the following year. Smith shared his enthusiasm of the idea with UMP President Sam Driggers who also liked the idea and hopes to have a similar arrangement made at Eldora Speedway during the UMP Fall Nationals in the future.

World Racing Group chairman Tom Deery, who has been a longtime friend of Smith's, assured us that the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, or perhaps the Sprint Car series, will work something out in the future. Now that Smith has signed on as promoter for an additional three to four years, the stability is there for such major organizations to take Kankakee seriously.

Finally, Smith (and I) had an opportunity to meet with one of his all-time childhood idols upon entering the IMIS floor. Ricky Johnson, who is best known as a motorcycle racer who has competed in AMA Motocross and Supercross. During the 1980s, he won seven AMA national championships. He retired from motorcycle racing at the beginning of the 1991 season. At the time of his retirement from motocross racing at age 26, he was the all-time leader in Supercross victories. Johnson was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.

After his motocross career, Johnson went on to have success in off-road racing and stock car racing. He took wins in the famous Baja 1000 twice and was American Speed Association stock car series Rookie of the Year in 1999, driving for Herzog Racing as a teammate to unrelated El Cajon, CA off-road racer Jimmie Johnson. Johnson ran twelve races in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series from 1995 to 1997. In 2010, he won the Pro 2WD Trophy Truck championship in the Traxxas TORC Series.


Johnson founded the Traxxas TORC Series for the 2009 season. He sold the series after the season to the United States Auto Club (USAC) and he concentrated on being a driver. Ricky Johnson won the TORC Series Pro2WD Championship in 2010 after a season long battle with Rob MacCachren, the defending champ.

Johnson has verbally agreed to be our guest next summer and try his luck behind the wheel of a full blown Super Late Model. We're excited to have Johnson join us and see how he stacks up with our local talent here at Kankakee.

NOTICE TO SPORT COMPACT DRIVERS

I have been asked by Chief Tech Official Brent Osterhoff to remind everyone that UMP Sport Compacts must weigh a minimum of #2400 with driver at all times. UMP does not have a weight rule in this class, however this is a local track rule that will be enforced each week. So drivers need to be aware of what their cars weigh before arriving at the track.

RACECEIVERS ON SALE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!!

Attention ALL drivers of Kankakee County Speedway. In 2012, Kankakee County Speedway will make it mandatory for all drivers to use RaceCeivers when competing at Kankakee. Other tracks have followed suit and more will do the same. What a tremendous asset the RaceCeivers have been in speeding up shows with limited down time due to race lineups. Drivers may purchase their very own Solo II RaceCeiver unit for ONLY $100, if paid by cash, or $100 plus tax, if paid with check. Drivers may purchase them at the track any night, or before the race season begins by calling 815-933-6569. The unit feature a dual jacks and ear buds ARE included. You find a better price out there for the Solo II RaceCeiver unit.

2012 SEASON NOTICE: 2012 MEDIA REQUESTS

Media requests should be made in writing at least one week prior to the scheduled event you are wishing to cover. This includes all reporters, photographers, and videographers. Proper ID is required when signing into the pits at the track. All requests may be made by sending an email to kankakeecountyspeedway@gmail.com. Please put KCS Media Request in the subject line of your email.

While we welcome diversity, we can not guarantee all requests will be approved. Media publications may be limited as to the number of requests approved. You will be asked to provide links to any articles and/or photos from your covered event. You will receive confirmation by return email as to whether your request has been approved or disapproved. If your name and/or credential does not appear on the comp list, you will be expected to pay appropriate admission. This applies to all photographers, media members, vendors, and promotion staff from other tracks.